Delawheredad:Jerry, a huge portion of the population right NOW is stoned. Society functions well despite the stoners not because of it

California already has some of the most relaxed medical marijuana laws in the nation. Pretty much anyone who wants it can get it, and can go to a walk-in doctor's office, say they have anxiety or something, and walk out with a marijuana card. Legalization for recreational use probably wouldn't spike the actual use rate in CA much.

Plus, just like alcohol, most people who use it recreationally will do so in a manner that doesn't interfere with their work or personal lives. Yes, some will abuse it, but the number who let it get in the way of their day to day lives will be so small it's not worth considering.

Triumph:whidbey: As if anyone needed any additional proof that Jerry Brown is full of shiat, or that he does not speak for progressives.

Legalizing pot has never been on the liberal agenda, but it has been a libertarian talking point for decades.

I don't mean to suggest there aren't plenty of liberals who want to see it legalized, just that if it was a big priority of "progressives," it would have been legalized long ago in states more "progressive" than Colorado and countries more progressive than the U.S. I think it's a confluence of moderates that made it happen, not radicals.

Triumph:Triumph: whidbey: As if anyone needed any additional proof that Jerry Brown is full of shiat, or that he does not speak for progressives.

Legalizing pot has never been on the liberal agenda, but it has been a libertarian talking point for decades.

I don't mean to suggest there aren't plenty of liberals who want to see it legalized, just that if it was a big priority of "progressives," it would have been legalized long ago in states more "progressive" than Colorado and countries more progressive than the U.S. I think it's a confluence of moderates that made it happen, not radicals.

Progressives are not radicals. Groups like NORML were also not radicals but mainstream liberal progressives. I don't get your point at all, except your depiction of libertarians is a bit revisionist.

Triumph:Triumph: whidbey: As if anyone needed any additional proof that Jerry Brown is full of shiat, or that he does not speak for progressives.

Legalizing pot has never been on the liberal agenda, but it has been a libertarian talking point for decades.

I don't mean to suggest there aren't plenty of liberals who want to see it legalized, just that if it was a big priority of "progressives," it would have been legalized long ago in states more "progressive" than Colorado and countries more progressive than the U.S. I think it's a confluence of moderates that made it happen, not radicals.

I'd say it's more of a cultural shift than an ideological one. Younger voters are pushing for legalization because it doesn't have the negative stigma to them that it does to the boomers.

TuteTibiImperes:I'd say it's more of a cultural shift than an ideological one. Younger voters are pushing for legalization because it doesn't have the negative stigma to them that it does to the boomers.

I agree that there's an age component, but I also think that like the end days of prohibition, there's just a practical recognition that current policy is a failure. It's not people persuaded by ideologically driven arguments, just practical admission that locking people up is not the answer.

Triumph:TuteTibiImperes: I'd say it's more of a cultural shift than an ideological one. Younger voters are pushing for legalization because it doesn't have the negative stigma to them that it does to the boomers.

I agree that there's an age component, but I also think that like the end days of prohibition, there's just a practical recognition that current policy is a failure. It's not people persuaded by ideologically driven arguments, just practical admission that locking people up is not the answer.

Funny, I voted in favor of legalizing pot here in WA because I like to smoke it, and have enjoyed its benefits for decades.

MaudlinMutantMollusk:Oh, him? He's harmless. Back in the sixties, he was part of the free speech movement at Berkeley

/I think he did a little too much LDS

Jerry Brown was never part of the free speech movement at Berkeley he graduated in 1961 and was long gone not to mention his dad was governor of California at the time and he would not have wanted to harm his father's chances for reelection or a run for president. Brown is an out of touch moron who will sadly be reelected to a 4th term as governor. I'd rather see Gavin Newsome in that office.

borg:MaudlinMutantMollusk: Oh, him? He's harmless. Back in the sixties, he was part of the free speech movement at Berkeley

/I think he did a little too much LDS

Jerry Brown was never part of the free speech movement at Berkeley he graduated in 1961 and was long gone not to mention his dad was governor of California at the time and he would not have wanted to harm his father's chances for reelection or a run for president. Brown is an out of touch moron who will sadly be reelected to a 4th term as governor. I'd rather see Gavin Newsome in that office.

RobSeace:borg: MaudlinMutantMollusk: Oh, him? He's harmless. Back in the sixties, he was part of the free speech movement at Berkeley

/I think he did a little too much LDS

Jerry Brown was never part of the free speech movement at Berkeley he graduated in 1961 and was long gone not to mention his dad was governor of California at the time and he would not have wanted to harm his father's chances for reelection or a run for president. Brown is an out of touch moron who will sadly be reelected to a 4th term as governor. I'd rather see Gavin Newsome in that office.

Notabunny:I don't think Brown is the least bit disingenuous or insincere. My guess is that he'll watch Colorado and Washington for a couple of years before taking a firm policy position.

I think its smart that govorners watch Colorado and Washington to see what happens. What goes on there can influence and help states form laws about legalization. Still suprised California reelected Brown though.

TuteTibiImperes:Delawheredad: Jerry, a huge portion of the population right NOW is stoned. Society functions well despite the stoners not because of it

California already has some of the most relaxed medical marijuana laws in the nation. Pretty much anyone who wants it can get it, and can go to a walk-in doctor's office, say they have anxiety or something, and walk out with a marijuana card. Legalization for recreational use probably wouldn't spike the actual use rate in CA much.

Plus, just like alcohol, most people who use it recreationally will do so in a manner that doesn't interfere with their work or personal lives. Yes, some will abuse it, but the number who let it get in the way of their day to day lives will be so small it's not worth considering.

What's the idea coming here and sounding reasonable.

You should be ashamed of yourself.

I want you to rethink this for a while and come back when you have something a little less substantial to share.

RobSeace:borg: MaudlinMutantMollusk: Oh, him? He's harmless. Back in the sixties, he was part of the free speech movement at Berkeley

/I think he did a little too much LDS

Jerry Brown was never part of the free speech movement at Berkeley he graduated in 1961 and was long gone not to mention his dad was governor of California at the time and he would not have wanted to harm his father's chances for reelection or a run for president. Brown is an out of touch moron who will sadly be reelected to a 4th term as governor. I'd rather see Gavin Newsome in that office.

*WOOOSH*

That was the sound of two humpback whales flying over your head...

I got it, I hate star trek other idiots might actually think Brown was some sort of hero at Berkley he was not.

When Washington's and Colorado's tourism numbers are crunched (I think a LOT of people will forego Amsterdam and Jamaica for the closer-to-home legal w33d), a LOT of states will put this issue to ballot.

RobSeace:borg: MaudlinMutantMollusk: Oh, him? He's harmless. Back in the sixties, he was part of the free speech movement at Berkeley

/I think he did a little too much LDS

Jerry Brown was never part of the free speech movement at Berkeley he graduated in 1961 and was long gone not to mention his dad was governor of California at the time and he would not have wanted to harm his father's chances for reelection or a run for president. Brown is an out of touch moron who will sadly be reelected to a 4th term as governor. I'd rather see Gavin Newsome in that office.

shift_DAWG:When Washington's and Colorado's tourism numbers are crunched (I think a LOT of people will forego Amsterdam and Jamaica for the closer-to-home legal w33d), a LOT of states will put this issue to ballot.

Americans can not legally purchase mj in Amsterdam or Jamaica. It's freely available in every American city I have been to though in the last 25 years.

shift_DAWG:When Washington's and Colorado's tourism numbers are crunched (I think a LOT of people will forego Amsterdam and Jamaica for the closer-to-home legal w33d), a LOT of states will put this issue to ballot.

I don't think any state is going to be looking at that as much as other kinds of impact, for example crime and drug addiction in general. It will take years to assess those things, 5 years or more.

whidbey:As if anyone needed any additional proof that Jerry Brown is full of shiat, or that he does not speak for progressives.

He's the first competent governor we have had in a couple of decades. He's also old, and not long for the political world.As someone who actually has to live here, I'll settle for him for now - he won't be around long anyway.

If it was Arnold that said something like this... I wonder if there would be the same reaction?

Well, he's an old school progressive, and has some backward notions. He's part of a political generation that is dying off as surely as the Teabaggers are. He's also the first governor we've had in a couple of decades who actually seems able to govern. I'll forgive him his foibles - it's not like he can hold back the inevitable anyway - for one thing, he will have to retire soon - he old.I personally see no point in blowing shiat his way over this.